The anonymous spokesman said: “I imagine individuals or autonomous groups within the ALF will try to take action to prevent the killings. This could involve damaging equipment used in the culls.”

Meanwhile, prospects for a badger cull in Wales remain uncertain following the Welsh Assembly elections on Thursday (5 May).

Elin Jones – who as Welsh rural affairs secretary has been among the most ardent supporters of a cull – was re-elected by voters in Ceredigion. But the Plaid Cymru politician may not retain responsibility for rural issues.

Labour is closing in on the 31 seats that would see it able to ditch Plaid as its coalition partner in the Assembly.

The Welsh Labour Party might not reach the winning post, but, even so, Ms Jones could still be given a new role by Plaid.

The defeat of Plaid deputy leader Helen Mary Jones, who lost her seat to Labour’s Keith Davies, increases the prospects of a reshuffle within the party.